Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Stars shine at 2nd annual Thunderbird Awards
Stars shine at 2nd annual Thunderbird Awards
Posted: May 23, 2024

Stars shine at 2nd annual Thunderbird Awards

Wednesday May 22, 2024 - 8:00 p.m. | Dylan DeVlieger

Countless T-Birds from each sport gathered on Tuesday night to celebrate the 2023-24 year at the second annual Thunderbird Awards presented by the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C) and their advisor head volleyball/beach volleyball coach, Jordan Herrington.

The event was planned out and presented almost entirely by the committee members which included a representative from each sport. Each coach nominated an athlete from their sport for their, "Champion of Character," award which exemplifies an athlete who has demonstrated extraordinary service in the athletic community while modeling the basic traits of good character: respect, responsibility, caring, trustworthiness, citizenship and fairness. See the list below for a total breakdown of the Champions of Character in each sport.

S.A.A.C also presented T-Birds athletes and coaches who went above and beyond this year both on and off the court/field. From helping their teammates stay motivated when times are tough, or coaching their athletes to better themselves the award winners were truly deserving.

Track & Field/Cross country athlete Taylor Jacobs and Men's Golfer Cameron Kaye won the coveted Mr. and Mrs Thunderbird, an award given to the MCC athletes who are the perfect role model of a T-Bird executing in their respective sport while staying dedicated in the classroom and making an impact in the community. 

Women Basketball head coach Kori Stephenson won the Female Sport Coach of the Year. Stephenson led her team to a 28-7 record (18-5 ACCAC), yet another Region I title, and a third place finish in the NJCAA Women's Basketball National Championship.

Men's Cross Country/Track & Field coaches Daniel Pescador and Paul Spencer Peterson won the Male Sport Coach of the Year award. The men's cross country team were ranked as high as No. 1 in the country during their season, took home the ACCAC crown, and a top 6 finish at nationals.

Cross Country/Track & Field athlete Carmella Baldwin won multiple awards, one being the Female Athlete of the Year. During her cross country season Baldwin won the West Region Female Athlete of the Year, and was an All-American as she finished third at Nationals. 

Cross Country/Track & Field athlete Ernest Green was named the Male Athlete of the Year. During his track and field season Green set two school records, the indoor 800m and the outdoor 4x800m relay. Green earned All-American honors at Indoor nationals for the 4x800m relay and at outdoor nationals in the 800m and the 4x800m relay event.

Cecilie Pirronello won the Athletic Trainer/Support Staff of the Year award. Pirronello is the co-head athletic trainer at MCC and has dedicated herself (along with her staff) to helping T-Bird athletes get through injuries, stay positive in their recovery, and meet their full potential in their sport.

 

Champions of Character:

  • Baseball - Michael Williamson

  • Basketball - Orlando Gonzales

  • Cross Country - Samuel Green 

  • Golf - Cameron Kaye

  • Soccer - Cody Helmhout

  • Tennis - Asad Okoye

  • Track and Field - Ernest Green 

  • Basketball - Mackenzie Shivers

  • Beach Volleyball - Leilani Pollard

  • Cross Country - Carmella Baldwin 

  • Golf - Alyzzah Vakasiuola

  • Soccer - Olivia Bodily

  • Softball - Allison Wilson

  • Tennis - Journey Barajas

  • Track and Field - Maliyah Ross

  • Volleyball - Aaliyah Malden

 

Awards (coaches and athletes):

  • Selfless Player of the Year - Aaliyah Malden - Volleyball/Beach Volleyball

  • Comeback Thunderbird of the Year - Javier Garcia - Cross Country

  • Performance of the Year - Anna Harmon - Track and Field

  • Female Scholar Athlete of the Year - Carmella Baldwin Cross Country/Track and Field

  • Male Scholar Athlete of the Year- Joseph Rodriguez-Men's Soccer

  • Female Team of the Year- Women's Basketball

  • Male Team of the Year- Men's Cross Country

  • New Comer of the Year- Jorge Trujillo- Cross Country/Track and Field

  • Sophomore Athlete of the Year -Greyson Akers - Cross Country/Track and Field

  • Female Athlete of the Year - Carmella Baldwin - Cross Country/Track and Field

  • Male Athlete of the Year - Ernest Green - Cross Country/Track and Field

  • Mr. Thunderbird - Cameron Kaye - Men's Golf

  • Ms. Thunderbird - Taylor Jacobs - Women's Cross Country/Track & Field

  • Female Sport Coach of the Year - Kori Stephenson - Women's Basketball

  • Male Sport Coach of the Year - Coach Spencer Peterson/Dan Pescador - Cross Country/Track and Field